Marietta Lorraine (Trew) Thomas - Murph to her many, many friends - was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on February 19, 1939. She died at her home in Daytona Beach on January 24, 2016. Murph was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband of nearly 56 years, Jonas James (Joe) Thomas, who passed away 353 days earlier, on February 5, 2015. Murph and Joe met in 1958, when they were both working at Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati. They married on March 21, 1959. Murph was the daughter of Charles Herman Trew and Bessie Marie Marshall, and the younger sister of Charles Trew, who, along with his wife, Ruby, survives her. Murph's father anticipated her love of music and purchased a piano for her before she was born. She started learning to play piano when she was just five and the piano her father bought for her was just a few feet from her when she passed away. Murph was a 1957 graduate of Colerain High School in Cincinnati where she was a cheerleader. She loved her classmates and the close relationship they all shared; she tried to never miss a reunion. Murph and Joe adopted two children, Michael James Thomas, and Mary Jo (Jody) Domann. Mike and his wife, Jennifer Cronin Thomas, live in Shaker Heights, Ohio and Murph became the "bonus" grandmother to Mike's stepdaughter, Hannah Steiss, and his stepson, Hayden Steiss. Jody, her husband, Michael Domann, and their son, United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Justin James Domann, live in Strongsville, Ohio. Murph and Joe built their own house in Ross Township, Ohio, where they lived for twenty years. While they lived in Ross, they vacationed with their neighbors each year in Daytona Beach, Florida. When Murph retired from Procter & Gamble in 1994, they retired to Daytona Beach where they were happy to host visiting family and friends. Murph loved her church. She was raised in and confirmed as a member of her mother's church, Groesbeck United Methodist in Colerain Township, Ohio, and she and Joe were married in Groesbeck's Fellowship Hall. Leaving this church was her one concern about retiring, but Murph found another church to call home after moving to Daytona Beach - Port Orange Presbyterian, whose members made her feel like family. Murph loved books, playing bridge and golf, and these hobbies quickly became a regular part of her retired life. She even insisted on trying to play golf just days after getting out of the hospital in December. Her greatest joy was her family, particularly her grandchildren, and she loved sharing in their lives. Murph lived her life to the fullest and was a dear friend to many people, near and far. Her fight with cancer was unexpected and tragically brief. She had provided constant care for Joe during the last years of his life and, while she still grieved his loss, she was beginning to plan for the next stage of her life when she was diagnosed early last September with inoperable and metastasized lung cancer. Jody and her husband, Mike, were able to move to Daytona Beach to care for Murph shortly after her diagnosis. Murph loved Christmas and her one request was for her entire family to join her for the holiday. Despite having to spend several days in the hospital, she got her wish and they all had a wonderful time together. Murph died peacefully - surrounded by her family - just a few weeks later. A celebration of the life of Murph Thomas will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 30, 2016, at Port Orange Presbyterian Church, 4662 South Clyde Morris Boulevard, Port Orange, Florida 32129. Because helping the hungry, especially children, was near and dear to Murph's heart, her family encourages those attending her service to bring food donations for Halifax Urban Ministries. In lieu of flowers, the Thomas family asks that those who wish to remember Murph Thomas make a contribution in her honor to the Port Orange Presbyterian Church or to the St. Jude Children's Foundation.

Daytona Beach News-Journal, Thursday, January 28, 2016